Inhofe Wants White House to Try Bin Laden’s Son-in-Law at Gitmo

Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma on Monday attacked the Obama administration’s move to charge Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, the son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, in federal court instead of putting him through a military tribunal at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Abu Ghaith was charged last week in U.S. District Court in New York City as an “associate of Bin Laden,” who participated in “a conspiracy to kill United States nationals . . . “ The charge stems from Abu Ghaith’s alleged involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“Despite U.S. forces killing Osama bin Laden almost two years ago, the fight against terror continues,” Inhofe, the ranking GOP member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. “The Obama administration’s recent decision to indict Abu Ghaith in federal court instead of detaining him at Guantanamo Bay is the wrong decision.

“The president, transfixed on the idea terrorists should be tried in civilian courts, put politics before the safety of our soldiers and our nation. Not only is Abu Ghaith a family member of bin Laden, but he was also a key member of al-Qaida.

“Therefore, under the laws of war, he can be held for the duration of hostilities and we could continue to question him to gain further intelligence,” according to Inhofe.

“Instead, since the Obama administration chose to give Abu Ghaith the same rights and protections as American citizens, he now has the right to remain silent,” said Inhofe. “This only puts our nation at a disadvantage when it comes to the accumulation of intelligence, an essential factor in preventing future terrorist attacks.

“Guantanamo Bay is the most effective asset we have against terrorists, and we need to be using it,” the Republican added.

Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma on Monday attacked the Obama administration’s move to charge Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, the son-in-law of Osama bin Laden, in federal court instead of putting him through a military tribunal at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.